University Place earns status as ‘Lighthouse School’

Program helps students develop skills in leadership, teamwork

After a three-year-long process, University Place Elementary School has been named the 27th Lighthouse School worldwide. To celebrate, the school held a party Oct. 26 that included student performances, field day events and the unveiling of a working lighthouse on the campus.

Photo provided by University Place Elementary

By Bethany BlairSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 8:11 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | After a three-year-long process, University Place Elementary School has been named the 27th Lighthouse School worldwide.

“This is the pinnacle of what we were going for,” University Place Elementary Principal Deron Cameron said.

To achieve Lighthouse status, a school must first adopt a leadership program called “The Leader in Me,” a program sponsored by Franklin Covey, a leadership development/training consulting company. Based on the book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey, the program helps students develop skills in leadership, accountability, teamwork and responsibility.

Assistant Principal Terri Byrts said these lessons prepare young students for the workforce and help them deal with everyday obstacles.

“This program is so important because it instills a sense of responsibility here at school, and they have those same responsibilities at home,” she said. “They’re able to hold themselves more accountable for their actions.”

Instead of simply implementing these habits into the curriculum, Cameron said administrators and teachers include them in every aspect of elementary school life including its assemblies, hallway decorations, curriculums and everyday language.

“It’s created a more welcoming environment where the students are excited about school,” he said. “One hundred percent of our students hold some kind of leadership position whether it’s being the assistant speaker for an assembly or being the first grade ‘shoe sheriff.’ ”

Typically, the program takes about three years to implement. Staff focuses on learning about the program during the first year, applying the program during the second year and maintaining and maximizing its results during the third year. After this process is complete, a Franklin Covey representative judges the school based on nine criteria before awarding it Lighthouse status.

Fifth-grade teacher Brian Rose said integrating the program has been a schoolwide effort.

“It was clear that everyone had to be on board in order to undertake this process,” Rose said. “I was intimidated at first because the scope was so broad and it seemed like lessons in self-help.”

The program employs colorful visuals and a pyramid to demonstrate how students should first take charge by being proactive, beginning with the end in mind and putting first things first. Then they are taught to interact well with others by thinking win-win, seeking first to understand, then to be understood and synergizing. Finally, they are reminded to live a healthy lifestyle with the seventh habit, “sharpen the saw.”

Fifth-grade student Emmanuel Ashford said he uses the seven habits every day at school and at home.

“When we have work to do we turn it in on time,” he said. “We have to be responsible, be on time every day and set examples for the others around us.”

Fourth-grader Jena Martin agreed, adding that the program has helped her establish goals and priorities.

“I use the first habit when I get my work done before I get on the computer,” Martin said. “I get a plan in my head before I just do it.”

Right now, there are 29 Lighthouse Schools worldwide, and another 1,066 in the Leader in Me process. Cameron hopes the success of his students and school inspires other schools to do the same.

“This is not the end for us. It’s just the beginning,” Cameron said. “We want to be a beacon and model for other schools in Alabama who are thinking about using this program.”

To celebrate, the school held a party Oct. 26 that included student performances, field day events and the unveiling of a working lighthouse on the campus.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | After a three-year-long process, University Place Elementary School has been named the 27th Lighthouse School worldwide. </p><p>“This is the pinnacle of what we were going for,” University Place Elementary Principal Deron Cameron said. </p><p>To achieve Lighthouse status, a school must first adopt a leadership program called “The Leader in Me,” a program sponsored by Franklin Covey, a leadership development/training consulting company. Based on the book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey, the program helps students develop skills in leadership, accountability, teamwork and responsibility.</p><p>Assistant Principal Terri Byrts said these lessons prepare young students for the workforce and help them deal with everyday obstacles. </p><p>“This program is so important because it instills a sense of responsibility here at school, and they have those same responsibilities at home,” she said. “They're able to hold themselves more accountable for their actions.”</p><p>Instead of simply implementing these habits into the curriculum, Cameron said administrators and teachers include them in every aspect of elementary school life including its assemblies, hallway decorations, curriculums and everyday language.</p><p>“It's created a more welcoming environment where the students are excited about school,” he said. “One hundred percent of our students hold some kind of leadership position whether it's being the assistant speaker for an assembly or being the first grade 'shoe sheriff.' ”</p><p>Typically, the program takes about three years to implement. Staff focuses on learning about the program during the first year, applying the program during the second year and maintaining and maximizing its results during the third year. After this process is complete, a Franklin Covey representative judges the school based on nine criteria before awarding it Lighthouse status.</p><p>Fifth-grade teacher Brian Rose said integrating the program has been a schoolwide effort.</p><p>“It was clear that everyone had to be on board in order to undertake this process,” Rose said. “I was intimidated at first because the scope was so broad and it seemed like lessons in self-help.”</p><p>The program employs colorful visuals and a pyramid to demonstrate how students should first take charge by being proactive, beginning with the end in mind and putting first things first. Then they are taught to interact well with others by thinking win-win, seeking first to understand, then to be understood and synergizing. Finally, they are reminded to live a healthy lifestyle with the seventh habit, “sharpen the saw.”</p><p>Fifth-grade student Emmanuel Ashford said he uses the seven habits every day at school and at home. </p><p>“When we have work to do we turn it in on time,” he said. “We have to be responsible, be on time every day and set examples for the others around us.”</p><p>Fourth-grader Jena Martin agreed, adding that the program has helped her establish goals and priorities.</p><p>“I use the first habit when I get my work done before I get on the computer,” Martin said. “I get a plan in my head before I just do it.” </p><p>Right now, there are 29 Lighthouse Schools worldwide, and another 1,066 in the Leader in Me process. Cameron hopes the success of his students and school inspires other schools to do the same.</p><p>“This is not the end for us. It's just the beginning,” Cameron said. “We want to be a beacon and model for other schools in Alabama who are thinking about using this program.”</p><p>To celebrate, the school held a party Oct. 26 that included student performances, field day events and the unveiling of a working lighthouse on the campus.</p>